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What's expected of the avg co. driver?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by greenllll, Apr 22, 2011.

  1. Apr 22, 2011 #1
    greenllll

    greenllll Light Load Member

    52
    31
    Oct 28, 2010
    Albino, TX
    0
    I'm a noob. I want to be the type of driver my DM wants to keep around. I want to be able to compete with the other drivers.
    I work for a big fleet with many trucks. We use qualcom.

    Assuming the miles are available, what is expected of the average driver, by a driver manager?
    A willingness to skip the 32h reset?
    A willingness to take only 8hr or 6hr sb breaks?
    A willingness to drive day or night, as whatever it takes to keep the ratio high?
    A willingness to take any crappy 300 mile Walmart load given w/out complaint?
    A willingness to only go home every other week?
    Will do whatever it takes to get on time, including editing the hours?

    Do the DM's try to train noobs to work illegally, so their corporation can compete with the other illegal running corporations, so that DM can get his annual bonus, or whatever incentive the CEO gives to push the DM to make the drivers life rough?

    What's the real deal on what these large carriers want?

    Are there any that truly run legal and pay their drivers what they run and don't cheat the drivers from their money?
     
    greenllll, Apr 22, 2011
    greenllll, Apr 22, 2011
    #1
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  3. Apr 22, 2011 #2
    Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

    4,528
    17,698
    Jul 12, 2009
    kittanning, PA
    0
    sure are, just few and far between. goodluck.
     
    Logan76, Apr 22, 2011
    Logan76, Apr 22, 2011
    #2
  4. Apr 22, 2011 #3
    Mdbluecrab

    Mdbluecrab <b>Crusty Crab</b>

    292
    301
    Feb 4, 2010
    White Plains, Maryland
    0
    Make your P&D's on time, don't whine and complain, avoid any speeding tickets and you should be fine.
     
    Mdbluecrab, Apr 22, 2011
    Mdbluecrab, Apr 22, 2011
    #3
    Wargames Thanks this.
  5. Apr 22, 2011 #4
    fancypants

    fancypants Medium Load Member

    573
    173
    Apr 14, 2010
    nw pa
    0
    Go anywhere, anytime. Keep your logs legal.On time every time.If late call dm asap. Keep him or her in the loop at all times.As soon as you leave home tell them when you want hometime again.Keep your trk clean.Good luck. Its all easy an common sense.
     
    fancypants, Apr 22, 2011
    fancypants, Apr 22, 2011
    #4
    Wargames Thanks this.
  7. Apr 22, 2011 #5
    Bucktrucker

    Bucktrucker Medium Load Member

    453
    148
    Dec 10, 2008
    ON THE ROAD SOMEWHERE
    0
    Schneider runs you 100&#37; legal if you can't make it call them not a thing said....
     
    Bucktrucker, Apr 22, 2011
    Bucktrucker, Apr 22, 2011
    #5
    Wargames Thanks this.
  8. Apr 22, 2011 #6
    13doubleover

    13doubleover Bobtail Member

    35
    44
    Mar 28, 2011
    Wandering aimlessly...
    0
    Do the absolute best you can do. Just like golf - cheating on your own score doesn't help your game! As the Gov't is trying to do, any points you get for log violations, etc. will be attached to your personal driving record - is it worth it so your DM likes you?
     
    13doubleover, Apr 22, 2011
    13doubleover, Apr 22, 2011
    #6
    Wargames and wicked Thank this.
  9. Apr 22, 2011 #7
    YankeeTexan

    YankeeTexan Light Load Member

    222
    194
    Jan 1, 2009
    Houston, Tx
    0
    #1Run legal
    #2 Be on time.
    #3 Get mechanical issues or truck or trailer fixed before moving them.
    #4 Do your job.
    #5 Keep it out of the ditch and don't add any new dents.
    #6 Take your full 10hr break. (see #1)
    #7 Don't skip on home time. (your DM is sure as heck not working when they don't have to)
    #8 Take your 34hr restart if needed. (if you stay out long enough you might need some hrs. Remember 8.75 is the most you can log in a day and never run out of time. So if you start hitting 11's and 12's you will run out eventually an will need to slow down or shut down to get some hrs back. or just remember #7)
    #9 The most important one...remember #1. Any log book violations, tickets, HOS violations etc etc, ding you first. And the company will NOT take the hit for you.
     
    YankeeTexan, Apr 22, 2011
    YankeeTexan, Apr 22, 2011
    #7
  10. Apr 22, 2011 #8
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,749
    12,498
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    OK, lets try to figure this out. Sales books the loads. The so called load planners plan the loads and pass them to the dispatchers to dispatch. (I still call them dispatchers, not driver managers). Dispatch then matches up loads with trucks. (not drivers). For instance, 5 outbound loads from Waco, Tx. needed on Monday at 8am. Now he co-ordinates 5 available trucks to pick-up said loads. In a perfect world, 5 trucks would empty out in Waco at 7am and then go across town and pick-up the 5 outbound loads, right ?

    OK, now heres where problems can arise. Dispatch has to please the customer and have 5 trucks there at 8 am. So now he looks at his roster and sees that one of the 5 trucks has a reputation for being late and getting lost. Another one is a team truck, but this load only requires a solo driver (1000 miles with 2 travel days allowed). However, there are no other trucks with-in a days drive, so he dispatches these trucks to pick these loads and clear the shippers yard and then the shipper is happy. His freight is on the way. Little does he know 2 of his loads will be swapped out 50 miles down the road.

    So you as a driver need to impress your dispatcher with on time deliveries, no complaining, paperwork in on time (everytime), going the extra mile to get the job done (within reason), not refusing loads, taking any load, taking care of your truck, and basically being a joy to work with. Dispatchers love this type of driver. On the other hand, constant complainers, drivers that are a headache for office personnel with late deliveries and anything else are not welcome.
     
    Allow Me., Apr 22, 2011
    Allow Me., Apr 22, 2011
    #8
    Elkhunter Thanks this.
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